The Los Angeles Clippers opened up their 2015-16 season on Wednesday night with a win over the Sacramento Kings by a score of 11-104 but that is not what will be remembered from the game. Backup point guard and son of head coach Doc Rivers, Austin Rivers, threw a seat cushion into the stands and hit a fan in the face at Sleep Train Arena. The NBA is reportedly investigating this incident and may discipline Rivers for it, according to Sam Amick of USA Today Sports.
Rivers throwing the cushion into the stand reportedly caused "a stir" among the Kings fans in the arena. The woman who was hit with the cushion was reportedly showing clear discomfort with her eyes for the remainder of the game after being hit.
The NBA will investigate the incident and then make a determination as to whether Rivers should be disciplined and if they decide he will, to what extent they will discipline him. There is no precedent for a player throwing a seat cushion into the stands but Enes Kanter, formerly of the Utah Jazz, was fined $25,000 for throwing his mouthpiece into the stands back in 2014. The NBA could use that as a starting point for potential Rivers discipline but this will likely be steeper, according to former general manager Bobby Marks, and could include a suspension.
Rivers scored just four points and had two steals in 16 minutes of the season opening game but he had his coming out party in the playoffs last season. As of right now he is Chris Paul's backup at point guard and if he were suspended Pablo Prigioni would likely step in for however long he is out.
